PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HENRY D. KLISIEWICZ UNITED STATES ARMY.
For gallantry in action near St. Cassien, France, on 23
August 1944. The infantry platoon to which Private First Class
Klisiewicz was attached as a medical aid-man, had been subjected to heavy
artillery and machine gunfire, and was forced to withdraw. The only route of
withdrawal was along a road under direct enemy observation and fire.
Private First Class Klisiewicz, knowing that the enemy could overrun the
position at any time, volunteered to remain with the wounded. Although
constantly exposed to enemy fire, Private First Class Klisiewicz moved from
[sic] four of his comrades along the heavily shelled road to a place of
comparative safety. Again exposing himself to enemy fire, he moved far
in advance of his own troops and located an officer who was seriously
wounded. As the wounded officer was unable to walk, Private First
Class Klisiewicz, after administering first aid, placed the wounded officer
on his back and carried him over a distance of four hundred yards along the
shell beaten road to a point where other aid-men completed the evacuation.
The courageous and prompt actions of Private First Class Klisiewicz resulted
in the expeditious evacuation of his wounded comrades from the heavily
shelled areas and prevented their possible capture or death.
[NOTE: Pfc Klisiewicz performed this heroic
action while a member of the 509th PIR but received the award after he had
been transferred to the 508th PIR. |